IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Meeting Minutes, Club Chit-Chat, and Fishing Reports will be listed if you are a member of Chapter 50. If you are a member, and you cannot see the reports after logging in, please use the contact form by selecting the floating envelope icon located in the bottom-right corner. Include your name and your Chapter 50 membership number. We will verify, and grant you special rights to view all. Alternatively, you may email us at muskiesincpennjersey @ gmail .
Log In
Register
6:03 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
This spring I bought a 1995 Ranger 681T, sitting on a 1996 Ranger trailer, powered by a 2003 Yamaha F60 from the midwest part of the country. As I live in PA bought it based on pictures, which were probably 5 years old. Oh well, nothing some hard work cannot fix. Thank goodness the gel coat is thick!
Starting a thread to share the re-do for those boat crazies like myself. Here are some pictures of the boat as is
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
6:28 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
Got her home without a hitch from LOTW (we went walleye fishing for 5 days). The winch strap was attached to the hook via a spiffy knot. One tail light had a poor bracket and I bounced off a tail light somewhere in downtown Chicago. So first step was to fix the front end of the trailer. Cleaned it up, removed the strap on jack and replaced with one that retro fits into the welded holder, and upgraded the boat winch and the winch for the lift rollers. Light project is next week-end.
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
8:01 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
Also replaced the safety chains, bow roller, etc. Kept reminding myself it's 23 years old, our goal is functionality and reliability.
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
12:34 pm
January 9, 2017
Offline
These sort of posts a great. Keep em coming.
11:08 am
March 22, 2004
Offline
Looks like a worthwhile project. Good luck and keep us posted on the progress.
DL
5:05 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
The boat has a snazzy snap down cover, tows like a dream. The PO replaced the carpet, did a really nice job. Needs a good scrub via the pressure washer, but otherwise in great condition. 
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
5:26 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
Late last Sunday I removed everything screwed into the top cap, to get it ready to buff out. Also got the glued down non stick tape removed from the bow. Of course lots of holes filled with caulk from different trolling motors. Thinking I am going to cover it with that rubber matting stuff. While the top cap gel coat looks really ugly, I did a small section with a 3M product and my buffer it looks amazing. Plan for this weekend is to buff, polish and wax entire boat. 
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
5:42 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
A couple more of the top cap. 
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
3:47 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
This past Saturday focused primarily on the top cap and to a lesser extent the sides. Top cap got 3M oxidation remover, Collinite fiberglass restore, Meguires polish and finally to top it all off Collinite wax. Sides so far just the 3M product and the Collinite fiberglass restore. Started reinstalling things on the top cap, no photos of that yet. Did spend some money at the hardware store to get all new stainless steel fasteners. For example, the gauge panel has 8 screws holding it in, 5 were different!
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
3:54 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
3:54 pm
April 24, 2012
Offline
She' getting there Bob! Nice Tiller boat , Steering wheels are for cars and trucks anyways !
2:49 pm
March 19, 2004
Offline
Looks like things are coming along. Good luck!
8:06 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
I had some crazy work travel which cost me one week-end, then it's been hotter than hades. Also had the boat at the Yamaha dealer for a bit to give the motor the once over. Good news all 4 cylinders at 175 compression. They also installed a Bob's 4" setback which will make the tiller handle more comfortable.
Completed swapping the Terrova for a big boy Muskie fishing TM, plus got a 9" 'Bird installed up front. Added a second 8" 'Bird in the back that has been living in my basement. Not able to take may good pictures right now boat is in the shed. But here are a few teasers.
PS... found 23 years worth of rusting TM mounting bolts in the bow, and enough duct tape everywhere to make an entire roll.
Also expoxied in a high speed transducer in the bilge for the second 'Bird. Mounted two new GPS pucks and cleaned up about 57 pounds of wiring.
Finally, believe it or not the original bilge pump in the boat. And not with any form of automatic switching. Ordered all the stuff today from West Marine to address that next week-end. 
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
7:05 pm
April 24, 2018
Offline
Oh so close to having this thing pulled together enough to actually go fishing! The bow is done, this week-end tackled the new bilge pump, bilge pump switch, and cleaning up 22 years of wiring different gizmos. The wiring project is good enough for now, will do more this winter. Also got the marine band radio & antenna installed. Many places on Lake of the Woods no cell service, so have to have it. Adjusted the motor height on my new Bob's set back plate and installed a PowerTech 4 blade prop. 
Bob Foss
Nottingham, PA
111
1 Guest(s)
